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Rotuman Sports

From Fiji Times Online (1 May 2010)

Saverio has a dream

by Fred Wesley

Saverio Sakimi is passionate about a lot of things. His health ranks highly. At 42, he still tries to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

The man from Juju in Rotuma, who spent his childhood years in Itumuta before moving over to Fiji, works at the Fiji Elections Office in Suva. Saverio is married with three daughters.

He's learnt to overcome many obstacles over the years.

He's involved himself in various sports, taken on roles in administration and has come out believing in his ability to set an example for other Rotumans.

A keen rugby forward, Saverio once trained with the likes of former national rugby five eight Pio Bosco Tikoisuva, the late former national lockforward Aisake Nadolo and former frontrower Belasio Vukiwai.

He has also trained under former national rugby coach Ilivasi Tabua, former national halfback and Japan national sevens coach Paulo Nawalu, and former national sevens skipper Aliposo Waqailiti.

He hopes his mentors have prepared him well for the role he now holds - coaching the Caubati Rugby Club. The club competes in the Naitasiri Rugby Union competition.

"There are a lot of Rotuman rugby players," he says. "Not many are into coaching though. I hope to set an example - that nothing is impossible. I guess the hardest part is starting up. I'm getting over that now. One of the reasons I took up coaching was because of my love for the sport.

"I hope to pursue this career path with the Fiji Rugby Union.

"I am also passionate about my health. At my age, it's wise to maintain a good level of fitness and to be healthy."

Saverio has played a number of sports, from touch to netball and he was the vice-president of Suva Netball in 2008.

In rugby, he's played in every position in the pack but lists tighthead propforward as his favourite. Saverio dreams of lifting the profile of Caubati rugby and hopes to see more members of his young team make it big in rugby.

"We have a very young team. We played in last year's final in the Nasinu Zone. Hopefully we can come off with a good achievement this season.

"I think the important message here is the fact that nothing is impossible if people are willing to accept challenges."

Itumuta and Juju may be a 38-hour boat ride away from Suva. They, however, hold many memories for Saverio and constantly serve as inspiration for the head coach of the Caubati Rugby Club.